Senior Estimator

Watson Civil Construction

26d•Onsite

About The Position

Watson Civil Construction, Inc. is a leading civil contractor specializing in large-scale site infrastructure, underground utilities, and roadway construction, with more than 300 employees working throughout Florida. We are seeking a Senior Estimator – Private Site Development with proven experience preparing competitive bids and budgets for private commercial, residential, and mixed-use site development projects. This position is based in Tampa, FL or Jacksonville/St. Augustine, FL and plays a key role in delivering accurate, high-quality estimates in a fast-paced environment. The Senior Estimator is responsible for the preparation, coordination, and accuracy of cost estimates and proposals for private site development projects. This role focuses on hard bid and negotiated work, supporting preconstruction efforts from early budgeting through final proposal submission.

Requirements

5–10+ years of experience in civil/site development estimating (commercial, residential, or mixed-use).
Strong knowledge of earthwork, underground utilities, paving, drainage, and site logistics.
Proven experience preparing hard bids and negotiated/private work estimates.
Proficient in HCSS or similar estimating software, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office.
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Highly detail-oriented with the ability to identify discrepancies and risk.
Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Primavera P6, Agtek, AutoCAD, or similar tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Analyze and interpret civil/site construction drawings, specifications, and geotechnical reports.
Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates and proposals for private site development projects.
Perform quantity takeoffs for grading, utilities, paving, drainage, and associated site work.
Solicit, review, and level subcontractor and supplier pricing.
Develop conceptual, budgetary, and GMP estimates throughout various design phases.
Participate in value engineering and constructability reviews to optimize project costs and execution.
Prepare and assist with project schedules using Primavera P6 or similar CPM software.
Identify and evaluate project risks, including site conditions and scope gaps.
Collaborate with project managers, operations staff, and preconstruction teams to ensure alignment between estimate and execution.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of estimating databases, unit costs, and historical data.